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Smart bed method

Smart bed method description/claims

This disclosure relates to a method for implementing a smart bed system.

Patient data such the medical records, care plan, charts, vital statistics, etc. are generally stored in a central computer within a hospital. Hospital staff members treating the patient may have to download patient data from the central computer before treating or caring for the patient in order to determine an appropriate course of action. The process of downloading patient data from the central computer before treating or caring for the patient can be very labor intensive, particularly when applied to a large number of different patients. After the patient data is downloaded, it is then generally manually correlated with an appropriate patient. The process of manually correlating patient data with an appropriate patient typically relies heavily on a visual identification of the patient.

One problem with conventional patient data storage methods of hospitals pertains to the process of correlating patient data with the appropriate patient. As the correlation is generally manually performed, it is inherently subject to human error. The probability of inadvertently correlating the patient data with the wrong patient increases when visual identification is not possible such as, for example, when the patient's face is bandaged.

Another problem with conventional patient data storage methods of hospitals pertains to the process of downloading patient data from a central computer before treating or caring for the patient. The problem is that this process is inefficient because it requires the additional steps of physically going to the central computer and downloading the patient data and then returning to the patient before treatment of the patient can be initiated. When applied to a large number of patients this inefficiency is increased.

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

In an embodiment, a method for a smart bed system includes confirming the presence of a patient within a smart bed, and transferring patient data pertaining to the patient after confirming the presence of the patient. Transferring patient data includes transferring patient data from a server to a smart bed computer disposed within the smart bed such that the patient data is accessible directly from the smart bed.

In another embodiment, a method for a smart bed system includes confirming the presence of a patient within a smart bed, confirming the identity of the patient, and transferring patient data pertaining to the patient after confirming the identity of the patient. Transferring patient data includes transferring patient data from a server to a smart bed computer disposed within the smart bed such that the patient data is accessible directly from the smart bed. The method for a smart bed system also includes implementing a patient care plan after transferring patient data.

In yet another embodiment, a method for a smart bed system includes confirming the presence of a patient within a smart bed, confirming the identity of the patient, and transferring encrypted patient data pertaining to the patient from a server to a smart bed computer disposed within the smart bed such that the encrypted patient data is accessible directly from the smart bed. The method for a smart bed system also includes using an encryption key assigned to the patient in order to read the encrypted patient data, implementing a patient care plan after using an encryption key, and implementing any patient preferences after using an encryption key.

Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a smart bed system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an algorithm in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a smart bed coupled with a plurality of input devices in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a smart bed coupled with a plurality of output devices in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method in accordance with an embodiment.

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